Yarn clearer



M. E. TAGER YARN CLEARER ocr. 11, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 F11 Feb. 1 6. 1954 M. E. TAGER YARN CLEARER Oct. 11, 1955 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 16, 1954 M. E, TAGER YARN CLEARER 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Feb. 16, 1954 oct. 11, 1955 ME. TAGER 2,720,020

YARN CLEARER Filed Feb. 16. 1954 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 United States Patent Oce 2,720,020 Patented Oct. 11, 1955 YARN CLEARER Milton E. T ager, Gastonia, N. C. Application February 16, 1954, Serial No. 410,492

24 Claims. (Cl. 28-70) This invention relates to yarn and thread clearer devices, and more particularly to devices of this character having improved features of construction and operation.

It is essential in the textile industry that yarns, threads and the like, which are utilized in Weaving and other procedures in manufacturing various fabrics, be free from foreign surface materials and defects. To this end the industry has, for many years, employed various types of clearers for removing lint and foreign particles from such yarns and threads, and for detecting slubs and similar de fects therein, prior to utilizing the same in manufacturing fabrics.

The yarn clearer art has been relatively dormant for many years, despite the need in the textile industry for clearers embodying improved structural and operational characteristics. Clearers heretofore employed in the industry have not been entirely satisfactory, due to inherent weaknesses in design and construction and/or because of high initial and maintenance costs.

The yarn clearer of this invention constitutes a distinct advance in the art, as will be readily understood by persons skilled in the art, from the detailed description appearing further along herein.

This invention has, for its primary object, the provision of a yarn clearer having novel and improved features of construction and operation.

Another Vobject of the invention is to provide a yarn clearer that is adapted to effectively detect various defects in different sized yarns and threads.

Another object of the invention is to provide a yarn clearer having a pair of slotted blade units, including blade elements that may be readily adjusted and/or replaced as required, without disturbing other parts of the clearer.

The invention has for another object the provision of a device of the character indicated, having its parts so constructed and arranged that the yarn-cleaning blades Wear substantially uniformly.

A further object of the invention is to provide a yarn clearer that is self-threading, that is, yarn, which for example has been reknotted and is under proper tension, upon being released by the operator tends to engage and enter the clearer and be properly disposed therein for resumption of the cleaning operation.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a yarn clearer that is simple in design and sturdy in construction; that is reasonable in initial, installation and maintenance costs; and that is capable of performing its intended functions in an eicient and trouble-free manner.

To the end that the foregoing objects may be readily attained, a preferred and recommended form of yarn clearer constructed in accordance with this invention comprises a frame having an open-end slot and adapted to be mounted in proper position on a yarn-winding machine. The frame carries juxtaposed first and second blade units, one of the units having a vertical slot and being reciprocable along a vertical path and the other unit having a horizontal slot and being reciprocable along a horizontal path. When the parts are in one relative position, yarn is adapted to be introduced into the frame slot and register with the slots of the blade units. When the parts are in another relative position, the blade units dene an oritice through which the yarn passes. A means is provided for imparting reciprocation to the first blade unit. This means comprises a rotary drive and a means connected to the drive and to the rst unit, for translating rotary movement of the fonner into reciprocatory movement of the latter. The device is also provided with a means that is responsive to reciprocation of the first unit for eifecting corresponding reciprocation of the second unit. Such a means preferably comprises a pin carried by one of the units and registering with an elongated slot formed in the other unit and inclined at a substantially 45 angle to its path of reciprocation.

The enumerated objects, as well as other objects, together with the advantages of the invention, will be readily understood by persons versed in the art, upon reference to the following detailed description taken in con junction with the annexed drawings, which respectively describe and illustrate two forms of yarn clearer embodying the invention.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a front elevational View of a yarn clearer constructed in accordance with this invention;

Fig. 2 is a view taken along line 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a rear elevational view of the clearer shown in Fig. l, certain parts being broken away and other parts being shown in section, for better illustration of remaining parts;

Fig. 4 is a view taken along line 4 4 of Fig. l;

Fig. 5 is a central vertical cross-sectional view of Fig. 1, certain parts being shown in other relative positions;

Fig. 6 is an isometric view of the blade units in onerelative position operably associated with a length of yarn that is being cleaned thereby, parts being omitted for better illustration of other parts;

Fig. 7 is a view in front elevation of an arrangement of devices for operating the yarn clearer of Figs. 1 through 6; 8 is a view taken along staggered line 8-8 of Fig. 9 is a view taken along staggered line 9-9 of Fig. 7;

Fig. l0 is a front elevational View of another form of yarn clearer constructed in accordance with this invention, and corresponds to Fig. l;

Fig. l1 is a top plan view of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a side elevation view of Fig. 10, as viewed from the right thereof;

Fig. 13 is a view taken and Fig. 14 is a View taken along line 14-14 of Fig. 12.

, Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote corresponding parts throughout the several views and, more particularly, to Figs. 1 to 6, a yarn clearer, generally indicated by numeral 15, includes a support or frame 16, which comprises a front plate 17 and a rear plate 18. These plates are preferably identical and are in the nature of split rings that define an outwardly ared slot 20. Plates 17 and 18 are connected by screws 21, 22, 23 and 24 and are spaced apart by corresponding Washers 21', 22', 23 and 24', respectively. The space between plates 17 and 18 is indicated by numeral 25 in Fig. 2.

A mounting plate 26 is attached to plate 17 by a pair of screws 27 (Fig. l). This plate is provided with openings 28 for reception of screws (not shown), whereby the clearer may be readily mounted to a selected part of a yarn winding machine frame.

A first blade unit 29 is reciprocable in frame 16 along along line 13-13 of Fig. l2;

the vertical path formed by washers 21 to 24', as shown in Fig. 1. This blade unit bears against the inner face of plate 18. Unit 29 includes a blade 30. A block 31 is secured to the lower end of blade 30 by screws 32. The blockV carries a pin 33 and is provided with a slot 34. A lever 35 registers with slot 34 and forms a pivotal connection with pin 33. Blade 30 has a right angle slot 36 consisting of an outwardly fiared horizontal portion 37 and a vertical portion 38 (Fig. 3).

A horizontal block 39, best shown in Fig. 2, is secured to the rear face of blade 30. A knife 40 has a channelshaped arm 41 which is slidable along block 39. Arm 41 is provided with a slot 42 for the reception of a screw 43 that engages block 39 to adjustably position knife 40 with respect to blade 30. Knife 40 has a blade 44 that has a leading edge 44. It will be apparent from an examination of Fig. 3 that the effective size of slot portion 38 may be varied to accommodate different sized yarns by adjusting the position of knife 40, as required.

A second blade unit 45 is reciprocable in frame 16 along the horizontal path defined by-washers 21 to 24. This blade unit comprises a blade 46 that bears against the inner face of plate 17 and has an outwardly flared horizontal slot 47, which includes an inner portion 48 of increased width. A lower combined guide and blade 49 is secured to the outer face of blade 46 by rivets 50 and is aligned with lower slot-defining edge 51 of blade 46. An upper combined guide and blade 52 registers with slot portion 47 and is secured to a T-plate 53 having a vertical slot 54. A screw 55 extends through slot 54 and engages a block 56 that is lcarried by blade 46. It will be noted that this arrangement permits of adjustment of combined guide and blade 52 toward or away from combined guide and blade 49, whereby to define a variable width slot 57 for the passage of yarns of different sizes. Slot 57, as shown in Fig. l, is outwardly fiared in the direction of slot 20, which is defined by the frame plates.

Blade 46 has an elongated through slot 60, which is inclined at an angle of 45 to the horizontal. A pin 61,

secured to blade 30, registers with slot 60, whereby blade unit 45 is reciprocated horizontally in response to vertical reciprocation of blade unit 29.

When the parts are in relative position shown in Fig. 1, that is, with pin 61 at the lower extremity of slot 60, blade unit 29 is at its extreme downward limit of travel and blade unit 45 is at its extreme limit of travel toward the left. At such times, the slots in the frames and units are aligned so as to define an opening 62, permitting yarn to enter the device at slot 20 and be moved to leading edge 44 of knife 44. When the parts are in the rela- ,f

tive positions shown in Figs. and 6, the blade units define a quadrangular orice 63, for the passage of yarn Y that may have a slub or other defect S. The size of orifice 63 may be varied to accommodate different sized yarns by adjusting knife 40 and guide 52. It will be apparent from an examination of Figs. 1-6 that, during reciprocation of blade units 29 and 45, orifice 63 remains in the same location relative to frame 16, but the increments of the parts defining the orifice depend on the relative position of the blades at a particular time. As a result, the blades wear uniformly and their useful life is extended.

Reference is next had to Figs. 7, S and 9 for an understanding of the construction of a means 65, including earlier described lever 35, for imparting vertical reciprocatory movement to blade unit 29. This means includes an upstanding bracket 66 that is secured to a yarn winding machine frame element 67 by means of bolts 68. Bracket 6.6 carries a sprocket wheel 70 that is connected to a driving sprocket wheel 71 by a chain belt 72. Sprocket wheel 71 is driven by a rotary drive shaft 73. Sprocket wheel 70 is provided with an eccentric shaft 74 which is connected to a rock arm 75 by an adjustable linkage 76 that consists of a rod 77 threaded at its ends for connection to a lower self-aligning ball-joint fitting 78 which engages eccentric shaft 74 and an upper fitting 79, which engages rock arm 75.

As is best shown in Fig. 8, rock arm 75 is secured to a rock shaft 80, which is partly supported by a bracket 81 that is carried by the winding machine. A collar 82, attached to the rock shaft adjacent bracket 81, restrains the rock shaft against axial movement toward the right, as viewed in Fig. 7. Also secured to and rotatable with the rock shaft is a pair of spaced collars 83 and 84. Collar 83 carries a pin 85 which, as best shown in Fig. 9, is adapted to be engaged by a pin 86 that is carried by an arm 87 which is freely mounted on the rock shaft. A torsion spring 90 is coaxial with rock shaft S0 and is anchored at its opposite ends to collar 84 and arm 87, whereby to normally and yieldingly urge this arm in a counter-clockwise direction, as viewed in Fig. 9. A rod 91 is secured to arm 87 and forms a pivotal connection with the lower end of lever 35. Rod 91 includes a bent portion 92 that is disposed beneath a starting lever 93 of the winding machine. When the lever 93 is depressed, it correspondingly moves rod 91 downwardly and swings lever 87 beyond its normal position in a clockwise direction about rock shaft 80, effecting disengagement between pins 86 and 85, and moving lever 35 and therefore blade unit 29 downwardly.

The operation of means 65 will be apparent from the foregoing description, taken in conjunction with the illustrative material appearing in Figs. 7, 8 and 9. It is believed sufficient to point out here that rotary movement of drive shaft 73 and therefore sprocket wheels 71 and 70 is translated by eccentric shaft 74, linkage 76, rock shaft 80, torsion spring 90, pins S5 and 86, lever 35, and associated devices, into reciprocatory movement of blade unit 29.

Another form of yarn clearer, generally designated by numeral 95, is illustrated in Figs. l0 to 14. This clearer includes a frame 96 consisting of a front or cover plate 97 and a rear or mounting plate 98 that define an outwardly fiared slot 99 and that are joined together by screws 100.

Rear plate 98, best shown in Fig. 13, has a vertical recess 101 that is adapted to accommodate and permit vertical sliding movement of a first blade unit 102. This blade unit comprises a slide 103 having a relatively wide, outwardly flared, vertical slot 104 and an elongated slot 105, inclined at an angle of 45 to the horizontal and corresponding to slot 60 of the construction shown in Figs. 1 to 6. Slide 103 has a depression 106 and a fingerreceiving opening 107, that merges with its lower edge. Secured to, and depending from slide 103, is an extension that carries a laterally projecting pin 111, for pivotal connection to the upper end of lever 35 Slide 103 is grooved vertically to receive a blade 112 having an outwardly fiared vertical slot 113 that is aligned with slot 104. This blade is provided with a teat 114 that registers with depression 106. The arrangement of teat 114 and depression 106 serves as a detent to normally maintain blade 112 in position in slide 103. Blade 1.12 has a relieving slot 115 for reception of a screw driver or other tool, to initiate disengagement of the blade from slide 103.

Cover plate 97 and devices carried thereby are best shown in Fig. 14, to which reference is now had. Plate 97 has a horizontal recess 116, which receives and permits of horizontal sliding movement of a second blade unit 117 which includes a slide 118, having an outwardly iiared horizontal slot 119. Slide 11S is grooved horizontally to receive a blade 120, which is preferably identical with blade 112 and includes an outwardly flared slot 121, that aligns with slot 119 in the slide.

A pin 122 is secured to slide 118 and registers with inclined slot 10.5 in slide 103. Plate 97 has an extension 123 which is .provided with an opening 124 to receive a screw (not shown) for attaching the clearer to the winding machine frame.

As was indicated above, blades 112` and 120 may be identical and therefore interchangeable. The size of orifice defined by these blades and through which the yarn passes depends on the widths of the slots in these blades. By providing sets of blades of different slot widths, the yarn clearer may be used to clean and inspect yarns of different sizes. The widths of the slots in the blades may be indicated by numerals or other indicia on the exposed ends of the blades or may be denoted by employing different colors on such ends of the blades.

The orifice defined by the parts at the time yarn is introduced into the clearer during the cleaning operation is indicated at 125 in Fig. l0. This location, as illustrated, is below and to the right of the uppermost point 126 of the frame. Yarn entering the clearer passes through a conventional tensioning device (not shown) which holds it centered on the entering side of the device and, on passing through the device, may engage a conventional form of level winding guide (also not shown). After the operator has reknotted a broken yarn, holding it above and to the right of point 126, she may depress starting lever 93 and release the yarn as soon as it is placed under tension. As a consequence, the yarn slides over the curved top surface of frame 96 toward the right, as viewed in Fig. l0, and moves therealong and into slot 99, coming to rest at opening 125. Hence, it will be evident that it is not necessary for the operator to insert the yarn in slot 99 and move it toward the left into orifice 125, since the configuration of the frame is such that the yarn is selfthreaded therein when under suitable tension. As soon as the yarn registers with opening 12S, the operator releases starting lever 93, thereby placing means 65 and the clearer in active service.

The upper surface of frame 16 (Fig. l) may be similarly configured so as to cause yarn under tension to slide downwardly and toward the right, and enter slot 20 when the clearer is being threaded and the yarn is in proper tension.

Thus it will be seen that the constructions herein shown and described are Well adapted to accomplish the objects of the present invention. It will be understood, however, that the invention may be embodied otherwise than as here shown, and that in the forms illustrated certain obvious changes in constructions may be made. Therefore, I do not wish to be limited precisely to the construction herein shown except as may be required by the appended claims considered with reference to the prior art.

I claim:

1. In a yarn clearer, a support, juxtaposed irst and second blade units carried by the support, each blade unit having a slot formed therein, said blade units being so arranged that said slots cross each other at an angle, each blade unit being reciprocable relative to the support along a path coincident with an axis of the corresponding slot, the slot-defining portions of the blade units forming an orifice for the passage of yarn, and means for reciprocating the blade units.

2. In a yarn clearer, a support, juxtaposed first and second blade units carried by the support, each blade unit having a slot formed therein, said blade units being so arranged that said slots cross each other at an angle, each blade unit being reciprocable relative to the support along a path coincident with an axis of the corresponding slot, the slot-defining portions of the blade units forming an orifice for the passage of yarn, and means responsive to reciprocation of one of the blade units to effect reciprocation of the other blade unit.

3. A yarn clearer having juxtaposed, slotted, reciprocable first and second blade units arranged so that the slots therein cross at an angle and form an orifice for the passage of yarn, at least one of the blade units including a blade portion adapted for adjustment of the corresponding slot width, and means for reciprocating the blade units along corresponding paths in the respective direction of their slot lengths.

4. A yarn clearer having juxtaposed, slotted, reciprocable rst and second blade units arranged so that the slots therein cross at an angle and form an orifice for the passage of yarn, at least one of the blade units including a removable slot-carrying blade, and means for reciprocating blade units along corresponding paths in the direction of their slot lengths.

5. A yarn clearer in accordance with claim 2, wherein said means comprises a member carried by one of the units and registering with a slot formed in the other unit.

6. A yarn clearer in accordance with claim 2, Wherein said means comprises a member carried by one of the units and registering with an elongated slot formed in the other unit and inclined at an angle to the path of reciprocation thereof.

7. In a yarn clearer, a support, juxtaposed first and second blade units carried by the support, each blade unit having a slot formed therein, said blade units being so arranged that said slots cross each other at an angle, each blade unit being reciprocable relative to the support along a path coincident with an axis of the co1'- responding slot, the slot-defining portions of the blade units forming an orifice for the passage of yarn, and means for imparting reciprocation to the first unit, said means comprising rotary driving means and means connected to the driving means and the first unit for translating rotation of the former into reciprocation of the latter, and means responsive to reciprocation of the first unit for effecting reciprocation of the second unit.

8. In a yarn clearer, a frame having an open-end slot, juxtaposed first and second blade units carried by the frame and reciprocable with respect thereto along corresponding paths, each blade unit having an open-end slot, said slots crossing each other at an angle, the openends `of the slots being in direct communication when the units are in one relative position, the open-end of the frame slot being out of direct communication with that of one of the other slots when the units are in another relative position, the slot-defining portions of the blade units forming an orice for the passage of yarn, and means for reciprocating the blade units.

9. A yarn clearer in accordance with claim 8 wherein the frame is so curved peripherally as to cam yarn under tension toward and into the frame slot.

10. In a yarn clearer, a support, juxtaposed lirst and second blade units carried by the support, one of the units having a vertical slot and being reciprocable along a vertical path, the other unit having a horizontal slot and being reciprocable along a horizontal path, the effective slot defining portions of the units forming an orifice for the passage of yarn, means for imparting reciprocation to the first unit, said means comprising rotary driving means and means connected to the driving means and the first unit for translating rotation of the former into reciprocation of the latter, and means for reciprocating the second blade unit.

11. In a yarn clearer, a support, juxtaposed rst and second blade units carried by the support, one of the units having a vertical slot and being reciprocable along avertical path, the other unit having a horizontal slot and being reciprocable along a horizontal path, the effective slot defining portions of the units forming an orilice for the passage of yarn, means for imparting reciprocation to the first unit, said means comprising rotary driving means and means connected to the driving means and the iirst unit for translating rotation of the former into reciprocation of the latter, and means responsive to reciprocation of the first blade unit to effect reciprocation of the second blade unit.

l2. In a yarn clearer, a frame having an open-end slot, juxtaposed first and second blade units carried by the support, one of the units having an open-end vertical slot and being reciprocable along a vertical path, the other unit having an open-end horizontal slot and being reciprocable along a horizontal path, the open-ends of the slots being in direct communication when the units are in `one relative position, the open-end of the frame slot being out of direct communication with that of one of the other slots when the units are in another relative position, the effective slot-defining portions of the units forming an orifice for the passage of yarn, means for imparting reciprocation to the first unit, said means comprising rotary driving means, means connected to the driving means and the first unit for translating rotary movement of the former into reciprocatory movement of the latter, and means responsive to reciprocation of the first unit for effecting reciprocation of the second unit, said last-mentioned means comprising a member carried by one of the units and registering with an elongated slot formed in the other unit and inclined at an angle to the path of reciprocation thereof.

13. A yarn clearer in accordance with claim 1, wherein one of the blade units includes means for varying the effective size of at least a part of the corresponding slot and comprising a member positioned in said slot and having an edge that is spaced from and substantially parallel to a slot defining portion of said unit, and means adjustably mounting the member to said unit for varying the distance between said edge and said slot defining portion of said unit.

14. A yarn clearer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the support comprises a frame lincluding a pair of spacedapart parallel plates, at least a portion of each blade unit being disposed between the plates.

15. A yarn clearer in accordance with claim l, wherein the support comprises a pair of spaced parallel split rings, at least a portion of each blade unit being disposed between the rings.

16. A yarn clearer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the support comprises a frame including a pair of spaced-apart parallel plates, at least a portion of each blade unit being disposed between the plates, and wherein one of the blade units includes means for varying the effective size of at least a part of the corresponding slot and comprising a member positioned in said slot and having an edge that is spaced from and substantially parallel to a slot defining portion of said unit, and means for adjustably mounting the member to said unit for varying the distance between said edge and said slot defining portion of said unit.

17. A yarn yclearer in accordance with claim 2, wherein the support comprises a frame including a pair of spaced apart parallel plates, at least a portion of each blade unit being disposed between the plates, wherein one of the blade units includes means for varying the effective size of at least a part of the corresponding slot and comprising a member positioned in said slot and having an edge that is spaced from and substantially parallel to a slot defining portion of said unit, and means for adjustably mounting the member to said unit for varying the distance between said edge and said slot defining portion of said unit, and wherein the means recited in claim 2 comprises a member carried by one of the units and registering with an elongated slot formed in the other unit and inclined at an angle to the path of reciprocation thereof.

18. A yarn clearer in accordance with claim l, wherein each blade unit comprises a plate member and a blade removably mounted on the plate member.

19. A yarn clearer in accordance with claim 1, wherein each blade unit comprises a plate member having a recess extending inwardly from a surface thereof and a blade registering with said recess and having a surface substantially flush with said surface of the plate member.

20. A yarn clearer in accordance with claim 1, wherein the support comprises a frame including a mounting plate and a cover plate carried by the mounting plate, each plate being grooved to receive and define the path of reciprocation of a corresponding blade unit.

2l. A yarn clearer in accordance with claim l, wherein the support comprises a frame including a mounting plate and a cover .plate carried by the mounting plate, each plate lbeing grooved to receive and define the path of reciprocation of a corresponding blade unit, and wherein each blade unit comprises a plate member having a recess extending inwardly from a surface thereof and a blade registering with said recess and having a surface substantially flush with said surface of the plate member.

22. A yarn clearer in accordance with claim 2, wherein the support comprises a frame including a mounting plate and a cover plate carried by the mounting plate, each plate being grooved to receive and define the path of reciprocation of a corresponding blade unit, wherein each blade unit comprises a plate member having a recess extending inwardly from a surface thereof and a blade registering with said recess and having a surface substantially flush with said surface of the plate member, and wherein the means recited in claim 2 comprises a member carried by one of the plate members and registering with an elongated slot formed in the other plate member and inclined at an angle to the path of reciprocation thereof. Y

23. A yarn clearer comprising a frame, first and second blade units each having an open-end slot formed therein, said blade units being juxtaposed on said frame for reciprocation respectively along relatively angled paths with the axis of the slot in each blade unit arranged coincident with the path of reciprocation thereof, means for reciprocating said blade units at a normal throw maintaining said slots crossed and thereby defining a yarn clearing orifice, and selectively operable means for causing sufiicient overtravel of at least one of said blade units to remove the slot therein from crossing relation with respect to the slot in the other blade unit and thereby allow self-threading of said blade units through the open ends of said slots.

24. A yarn clearer comprising a frame arranged for mounting at a fixed position, first and second blade units juxtaposed on said frame for reciprocation respectively along relatively angled paths, each of said blade units having an open-end slot formed therein on an axis coincident with the path of reciprocation thereof, means operating to reciprocate said second blade unit from reciprocating motion of said first blade unit, said means acting to restrict relative travel of said blade units along said angled paths between one limit at which the open ends of said slots are disposed contiguously adjacent the intersection of said angled paths and an opposite limit at which the other ends of said slots coincide at said intersection, means yieldably biasing said blade units toward said opposite limit, means operating in opposition to said biasing means for causing reciprocation of said first blade with a normal throw reaching short of said first mentioned limit and not beyond said opposite limit, whereby said slots are maintained in crossing relation to define a yarn clearing orifice, and selectively operable means for causing full travel of said blade units to said first mentioned limit in opposition to said biasing means, whereby said blade units are disposed for self-threading through theopen ends of said slots.

Bailey July 13, 1886 Regley Feb. 5, 1935 

